Vishvamitra Undertakes to Sacrifice for Trishanku

Verse 1 (skanda.6.4.1)

सूत उवाच। त्रिशंकुरिति संचिन्त्य विश्वामित्रं महामुनिम्। मनसा सुचिरं कालं ततश्चक्रे विनिश्चयम्

sūta uvāca| triśaṁkuriti saṁcintya viśvāmitraṁ mahāmunim| manasā suciraṁ kālaṁ tataścakre viniścayam

Suta said: Trishanku, having pondered for a very long time in his mind about the great sage Vishvamitra, then came to a firm decision.

Verse 2 (skanda.6.4.2)

विश्वामित्रं परित्यज्य नान्योस्ति भुवनत्रये। यः कुर्यान्मे परित्राणं दुःखादस्मात्सुदारुणात्

viśvāmitraṁ parityajya nānyosti bhuvanatraye| yaḥ kuryānme paritrāṇaṁ duḥkhādasmātsudāruṇāt

'Save for Vishvamitra, there is no one else in the three worlds who could deliver me from this most terrible sorrow.'

Verse 3 (skanda.6.4.3)

कुरुक्षेत्रं समुद्दिश्य प्रतस्थे स ततः परम्। सुश्रांतः क्षुत्पिपासार्तो मार्गपृच्छापरायणः

kurukṣetraṁ samuddiśya pratasthe sa tataḥ param| suśrāṁtaḥ kṣutpipāsārto mārgapṛcchāparāyaṇaḥ

Then he set out, heading for Kurukshetra, greatly wearied, tormented by hunger and thirst, forever asking his way.

Verse 4 (skanda.6.4.4)

ततः कालेन संप्राप्य कुरुक्षेत्रं स पार्थिवः। यत्नेनान्वेषयामास विश्वामित्राश्रमं ततः

tataḥ kālena saṁprāpya kurukṣetraṁ sa pārthivaḥ| yatnenānveṣayāmāsa viśvāmitrāśramaṁ tataḥ

In time the king reached Kurukshetra, and there he diligently searched for the hermitage of Vishvamitra.

Verse 5 (skanda.6.4.5)

एवं चान्वेषमाणेन तेन भूमिभृता तदा। सुदूरादेव संदृष्टं नीलद्रुमकदम्बकम्

evaṁ cānveṣamāṇena tena bhūmibhṛtā tadā| sudūrādeva saṁdṛṣṭaṁ nīladrumakadambakam

As that king searched in this way, he then saw from far off a dark cluster of trees.

Verse 6 (skanda.6.4.6)

उपरिष्टाद्बकैर्हंसैर्भ्रममाणैः समंततः। आटिभिर्मद्गुभिश्चैव समन्ताज्जलपक्षिभिः

upariṣṭādbakairhaṁsairbhramamāṇaiḥ samaṁtataḥ| āṭibhirmadgubhiścaiva samantājjalapakṣibhiḥ

— above which cranes and swans wheeled on every side, together with herons, cormorants, and water-birds of every kind all around.

Verse 7 (skanda.6.4.7)

स मत्वा सलिलं तत्र पिपासार्तो महीपतिः। प्रतस्थे सत्वरो हृष्टो जलवातहृतक्लमः

sa matvā salilaṁ tatra pipāsārto mahīpatiḥ| pratasthe satvaro hṛṣṭo jalavātahṛtaklamaḥ

Guessing that there was water there, and tormented by thirst, the king set out swiftly and with joy, his fatigue swept away by the water-scented breeze.

Verse 8 (skanda.6.4.8)

अथापश्यन्मनोहारि सौम्यसत्त्वनिषेवितम्। आश्रमं नदितीरस्थं मनःशोकविनाशनम्

athāpaśyanmanohāri saumyasattvaniṣevitam| āśramaṁ naditīrasthaṁ manaḥśokavināśanam

Then he beheld a captivating hermitage on the bank of a river, frequented by gentle beings, one that dispelled all sorrow of the mind.

Verse 9 (skanda.6.4.9)

पुष्पितैः फलितैर्वृक्षैः समंतात्परिवारितम्। विविधैर्मधुरारावैर्नादितं विहगोत्तमैः

puṣpitaiḥ phalitairvṛkṣaiḥ samaṁtātparivāritam| vividhairmadhurārāvairnāditaṁ vihagottamaiḥ

— surrounded on every side by flowering and fruiting trees, resounding with the many sweet cries of splendid birds.

Verse 10 (skanda.6.4.10)

क्रीडंति नकुलाः सर्पैरूलूका यत्र वायसैः। मूषकैर्वृषदंशाश्च द्वीपिनो विविधैर्मृगैः

krīḍaṁti nakulāḥ sarpairūlūkā yatra vāyasaiḥ| mūṣakairvṛṣadaṁśāśca dvīpino vividhairmṛgaiḥ

There mongooses played with serpents, owls with crows, cats with mice, and leopards with deer of every kind.

Verse 11 (skanda.6.4.11)

अथापश्यन्नदीतीरे स तपस्विगणावृतम्। स्वाध्यायनिरतं दांतं विश्वामित्रं तपोनिधिनम्

athāpaśyannadītīre sa tapasvigaṇāvṛtam| svādhyāyanirataṁ dāṁtaṁ viśvāmitraṁ taponidhinam

Then, on the riverbank, he saw Vishvamitra — surrounded by hosts of ascetics, absorbed in Vedic recitation, self-controlled, a treasury of austerity.

Verse 12 (skanda.6.4.12)

तेजसा तपसातीव दीप्यमानमिवानलम्। चीरवल्कलसंवीतं शालवृक्षं समाश्रितम्

tejasā tapasātīva dīpyamānamivānalam| cīravalkalasaṁvītaṁ śālavṛkṣaṁ samāśritam

— blazing with the radiance of his austerity as if he were fire itself, clad in bark garments, seated beneath a sala tree.

Verse 13 (skanda.6.4.13)

अथ गत्वा स राजेन्द्रो दूरस्थोऽपि प्रणम्य तम्। अष्टांगेन प्रणामेन स्वनाम परिकीर्तयन्

atha gatvā sa rājendro dūrastho'pi praṇamya tam| aṣṭāṁgena praṇāmena svanāma parikīrtayan

Then that lord of kings approached, and even while still at a distance, bowed to him with a prostration of eight limbs, proclaiming his own name.

Verse 14 (skanda.6.4.14)

तथान्यानपि तच्छिष्यान्कृताञ्जलिपुटः स्थितः। यथाक्रमं यथाज्येष्ठं श्रद्धया परया युतः

tathānyānapi tacchiṣyānkṛtāñjalipuṭaḥ sthitaḥ| yathākramaṁ yathājyeṣṭhaṁ śraddhayā parayā yutaḥ

He stood with joined palms, saluting the sage's other disciples too, each in order of seniority, filled with the utmost reverence.

Verse 15 (skanda.6.4.15)

धूलिधूसरितांगं तं ते तु दृष्ट्वा महीपतिम्। चंडाल इति मन्वानाश्चिह्नैर्गात्रसमुद्भवैः

dhūlidhūsaritāṁgaṁ taṁ te tu dṛṣṭvā mahīpatim| caṁḍāla iti manvānāścihnairgātrasamudbhavaiḥ

But seeing that king, his body grey with dust, and taking him for a chandala from the marks that had arisen upon his body —

Verse 16 (skanda.6.4.16)

भर्त्सयामासुरेवाथ वचनैः परुषाक्षरैः। धिक्छब्दैश्च तथैवान्ये याहियाहीति चासकृत्

bhartsayāmāsurevātha vacanaiḥ paruṣākṣaraiḥ| dhikchabdaiśca tathaivānye yāhiyāhīti cāsakṛt

— they at once began to rebuke him with harsh words, and with cries of 'Shame!' and, again and again, 'Go away, go away!'

Verse 17 (skanda.6.4.17)

कस्त्वं पापेह संप्राप्तो मुनीनामाश्रमोत्तमे। वेदध्वनिसमाकीर्णे साधूनामपि दुर्लभे

kastvaṁ pāpeha saṁprāpto munīnāmāśramottame| vedadhvanisamākīrṇe sādhūnāmapi durlabhe

'Who are you, sinner, who has come here to this finest of hermitages of sages, filled with the sound of the Vedas, hard for even saintly men to reach?'

Verse 18 (skanda.6.4.18)

तस्माद्गच्छ द्रुतं यावन्न कश्चित्तापसस्तव। दत्त्वा शापं करोत्याशु प्राणानामपि संक्षयम्

tasmādgaccha drutaṁ yāvanna kaścittāpasastava| dattvā śāpaṁ karotyāśu prāṇānāmapi saṁkṣayam

'Therefore go away quickly, before some ascetic here pronounces a curse upon you and swiftly destroys even your very life.'

Verse 19 (skanda.6.4.19)

त्रिशंकुरुवाच। त्रिशंकुर्नाम भूपोऽहं सूर्यवंशसमुद्भवः। शप्तो वसिष्ठपुत्रैश्च चंडालत्वे नियोजितः

triśaṁkuruvāca| triśaṁkurnāma bhūpo'haṁ sūryavaṁśasamudbhavaḥ| śapto vasiṣṭhaputraiśca caṁḍālatve niyojitaḥ

Trishanku said: I am a king named Trishanku, born of the solar dynasty. I have been cursed by the sons of Vasishtha and reduced to the condition of a chandala.

Verse 20 (skanda.6.4.20)

सोऽहं शरणमापन्नः शापमुक्त्यै द्विजोत्तमाः। विश्वामित्रं जगन्मित्रं नान्या मेऽस्ति गतिः परा

so'haṁ śaraṇamāpannaḥ śāpamuktyai dvijottamāḥ| viśvāmitraṁ jaganmitraṁ nānyā me'sti gatiḥ parā

O best of the twice-born, I have come seeking refuge, to be freed from this curse, with Vishvamitra, the friend of the world — I have no other recourse.

Verse 21 (skanda.6.4.21)

विश्वामित्र उवाच। वसिष्ठस्य भवान्याज्यस्तत्पुत्राणां विशेषतः। तत्कस्मादीदृशे पापे तैस्त्वमद्य नियोजितः

viśvāmitra uvāca| vasiṣṭhasya bhavānyājyastatputrāṇāṁ viśeṣataḥ| tatkasmādīdṛśe pāpe taistvamadya niyojitaḥ

Vishvamitra said: You are the patron of Vasishtha, and especially of his sons; how then have you today been placed by them in such a wretched state?

Verse 22 (skanda.6.4.22)

कोऽपराधस्त्वया तेषां कृतः पार्थिवसत्तम। प्राणद्रोहः कृतः किं वा दारधर्षणसंभवः

ko'parādhastvayā teṣāṁ kṛtaḥ pārthivasattama| prāṇadrohaḥ kṛtaḥ kiṁ vā dāradharṣaṇasaṁbhavaḥ

What offense have you committed against them, O best of kings? Did you do violence against their lives, or assault their wives?

Verse 23 (skanda.6.4.23)

त्रिशंकुरुवाच। अनेनैव शरीरेण स्वर्गाय गमनं प्रति। मया संप्रार्थितो यज्ञो वसिष्ठान्मुनिसत्तमात्

triśaṁkuruvāca| anenaiva śarīreṇa svargāya gamanaṁ prati| mayā saṁprārthito yajño vasiṣṭhānmunisattamāt

Trishanku said: I asked the venerable sage Vasishtha to perform for me a sacrifice by which I might go to heaven in this very body.

Verse 24 (skanda.6.4.24)

तेनोक्तं न स यज्ञोऽस्ति येन स्वर्गे प्रगम्यते। अनेनैव शरीरेण मुक्त्वा देहांतरं नृप

tenoktaṁ na sa yajño'sti yena svarge pragamyate| anenaiva śarīreṇa muktvā dehāṁtaraṁ nṛpa

He told me that there exists no sacrifice by which one may reach heaven in this very body — heaven is attained, O king, only after giving up this body for another.

Verse 25 (skanda.6.4.25)

तच्छ्रुत्वा स मया प्रोक्तो यदि मां न नयिष्यति। स्वर्गं चानेन कायेन सद्यो यज्ञप्रभावतः

tacchrutvā sa mayā prokto yadi māṁ na nayiṣyati| svargaṁ cānena kāyena sadyo yajñaprabhāvataḥ

Hearing that, I said to him: 'If you will not, through the power of a sacrifice, at once lead me to heaven with this very body —'

Verse 26 (skanda.6.4.26)

तदन्यं गुरुमेवाद्य कर्ताहं नास्ति संशयः। एतज्ज्ञात्वा मुनिः प्राह यत्क्षेमं तत्समाचर

tadanyaṁ gurumevādya kartāhaṁ nāsti saṁśayaḥ| etajjñātvā muniḥ prāha yatkṣemaṁ tatsamācara

'— then this very day I shall make another my preceptor, without doubt.' Hearing this, the sage said: 'Do whatever is good for you.'

Verse 27 (skanda.6.4.27)

ततोऽहं तेन संत्यक्तस्तत्पुत्रान्प्राप्य निष्ठुरान्। प्रोक्तवानथ तत्सर्वं यद्वसिष्ठस्य कीर्तितम्

tato'haṁ tena saṁtyaktastatputrānprāpya niṣṭhurān| proktavānatha tatsarvaṁ yadvasiṣṭhasya kīrtitam

Then, abandoned by him, I approached his stern sons and told them all that I had said to Vasishtha.

Verse 28 (skanda.6.4.28)

ततस्तैः शोकसंतप्तैः शप्तोस्मि मुनिसत्तम। नीतश्चेमां दशां पापां चंडालत्वे नियोजितः

tatastaiḥ śokasaṁtaptaiḥ śaptosmi munisattama| nītaścemāṁ daśāṁ pāpāṁ caṁḍālatve niyojitaḥ

Then, O best of sages, being filled with anger and grief, they cursed me, and I was brought to this wretched state, reduced to the condition of a chandala.

Verse 29 (skanda.6.4.29)

सोऽहं त्वां मनसा ध्यात्वा सुदूरादिहरागतः। आशां गरीयसीं कृत्वा कुरुक्षेत्रे मुनीश्वर

so'haṁ tvāṁ manasā dhyātvā sudūrādiharāgataḥ| āśāṁ garīyasīṁ kṛtvā kurukṣetre munīśvara

So I, meditating upon you in my mind, have come here from very far away, O lord of sages, placing great hope in reaching you at Kurukshetra.

Verse 30 (skanda.6.4.30)

नासाध्यं विद्यते किंचित्त्रिषु लोकेषु ते मुने। तस्मात्कुरु प्रतीकारं दुःखितस्य ममाधुना

nāsādhyaṁ vidyate kiṁcittriṣu lokeṣu te mune| tasmātkuru pratīkāraṁ duḥkhitasya mamādhunā

Nothing whatsoever is beyond your power in the three worlds, O sage. Therefore now grant a remedy to me in my sorrow.

Verse 31 (skanda.6.4.31)

सूत उवाच। तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा विश्वामित्रो मुनीश्वरः। वसिष्ठस्पर्धयोवाच मुनिमध्ये व्यवस्थितः

sūta uvāca| tasya tadvacanaṁ śrutvā viśvāmitro munīśvaraḥ| vasiṣṭhaspardhayovāca munimadhye vyavasthitaḥ

Suta said: Having heard those words of his, Vishvamitra, lord of sages, standing there in the midst of the sages, spoke, moved by his rivalry with Vasishtha.

Verse 32 (skanda.6.4.32)

अहं त्वां याजयिष्यामि तेन यज्ञेन पार्थिव। गच्छसि त्रिदिवं येन इष्टमात्रेण तत्क्षणात्

ahaṁ tvāṁ yājayiṣyāmi tena yajñena pārthiva| gacchasi tridivaṁ yena iṣṭamātreṇa tatkṣaṇāt

'I shall have you perform, O king, that very sacrifice by which you shall go to heaven the very instant the offering is made.'

Verse 33 (skanda.6.4.33)

त्वमेवं विहितो भूप वासिष्ठैरंत्यजस्तु तैः। मया भूयोऽपि भूपालः कर्तव्यो नात्र संशयः

tvamevaṁ vihito bhūpa vāsiṣṭhairaṁtyajastu taiḥ| mayā bhūyo'pi bhūpālaḥ kartavyo nātra saṁśayaḥ

'Though you have thus been made an outcaste by the sons of Vasishtha, O king, I shall without doubt make you a king once again.'

Verse 34 (skanda.6.4.34)

तस्मादागच्छ भूपाल तीर्थयात्रां मया सह। कुरु तीर्थप्रभावेण येन त्वं स्याः शुचिः पुनः

tasmādāgaccha bhūpāla tīrthayātrāṁ mayā saha| kuru tīrthaprabhāveṇa yena tvaṁ syāḥ śuciḥ punaḥ

'Therefore, O king, come with me on a pilgrimage of sacred places, so that by the power of those tirthas you may become pure once again —'

Verse 35 (skanda.6.4.35)

तथा यज्ञक्रियार्हश्च चंडालत्वविवर्जितः। नास्ति तत्पातकं यच्च तीर्थस्नानान्न नश्यति

tathā yajñakriyārhaśca caṁḍālatvavivarjitaḥ| nāsti tatpātakaṁ yacca tīrthasnānānna naśyati

'— fit once more for the rites of sacrifice, freed from the condition of a chandala; for there is no sin whatsoever that does not vanish through bathing in sacred tirthas.'

Verse 36 (skanda.6.4.36)

सूत उवाच। एवं स निश्चयं कृत्वा गाधिपुत्रो मुनीश्वरः। त्रिशंकुं पृष्ठतः कृत्वा तीर्थयात्रामथाव्रजत्

sūta uvāca| evaṁ sa niścayaṁ kṛtvā gādhiputro munīśvaraḥ| triśaṁkuṁ pṛṣṭhataḥ kṛtvā tīrthayātrāmathāvrajat

Suta said: Having thus resolved, the sage, the son of Gadhi, set out on his pilgrimage of holy places, taking Trishanku behind him.

Verse 37 (skanda.6.4.37)

कुरुक्षेत्रं सरस्वत्यां प्रभासे कुरुजांगले। पृथूदके गयाशीर्षे नैमिषे पुष्करत्रये

kurukṣetraṁ sarasvatyāṁ prabhāse kurujāṁgale| pṛthūdake gayāśīrṣe naimiṣe puṣkaratraye

To Kurukshetra, to the Sarasvati, to Prabhasa, to Kurujangala, to Prithudaka, to Gayashirsha, to Naimisha, to the three Pushkaras —

Verse 38 (skanda.6.4.38)

वाराणस्यां प्रयागे च केदारे श्रवणे नदे। चित्रकूटे च गोकर्णे शालिग्रामेऽचलेश्वरे

vārāṇasyāṁ prayāge ca kedāre śravaṇe nade| citrakūṭe ca gokarṇe śāligrāme'caleśvare

— to Varanasi, to Prayaga, to Kedara, to the river Shravana, to Chitrakuta, to Gokarna, to Shaligrama, to Achaleshvara —

Verse 39 (skanda.6.4.39)

शुक्लतीर्थे सुराज्याख्ये दृषद्वति नदे शुभे। अथान्येषु सुपुण्येषु तीर्थेष्वायतनेषु च

śuklatīrthe surājyākhye dṛṣadvati nade śubhe| athānyeṣu supuṇyeṣu tīrtheṣvāyataneṣu ca

— to Shukla-tirtha known as Surajya, to the auspicious river Drishadvati, and to other most sacred tirthas and shrines as well.

Verse 40 (skanda.6.4.40)

एवं तस्य नरेंद्रस्य सार्धं तेन महात्मना। अतिक्रांतो महान्कालो भ्रममाणस्य भूतले

evaṁ tasya nareṁdrasya sārdhaṁ tena mahātmanā| atikrāṁto mahānkālo bhramamāṇasya bhūtale

Thus a great length of time passed, while that king wandered over the earth together with that great soul.

Verse 41 (skanda.6.4.41)

मुच्यते न च पापेन चंडालत्वेन स द्विजाः। एवंविधेषु तीर्थेषु स्नातोपि च पृथक्पृथक्

mucyate na ca pāpena caṁḍālatvena sa dvijāḥ| evaṁvidheṣu tīrtheṣu snātopi ca pṛthakpṛthak

Yet, O brahmins, he was not freed from the sin of his outcaste condition, even though he bathed separately in each and every one of such tirthas.

Verse 42 (skanda.6.4.42)

ततः क्रमात्समायातः सोऽर्बुदं पर्वतं प्रति। तत्रारुह्य समालोक्य पापघ्नमचलेश्वरम्

tataḥ kramātsamāyātaḥ so'rbudaṁ parvataṁ prati| tatrāruhya samālokya pāpaghnamacaleśvaram

Then in due course he came to Mount Arbuda; and, climbing it, beheld there Achaleshvara, the destroyer of sin.

Verse 43 (skanda.6.4.43)

यावदायतनात्तस्मान्निर्गच्छति मुनीश्वरः। तावत्तेनेक्षितो नाममार्कंडो मुनिसत्तमः

yāvadāyatanāttasmānnirgacchati munīśvaraḥ| tāvattenekṣito nāmamārkaṁḍo munisattamaḥ

Even as the lord of sages was coming out of that shrine, he was seen there by the great sage named Markanda.

Verse 44 (skanda.6.4.44)

सोऽपि दृष्ट्वा जगन्मित्रं विश्वामित्रं मुनीश्वरम्। प्रोवाचाथ कुतः प्राप्तः सांप्रतं त्वं मुनीश्वर

so'pi dṛṣṭvā jaganmitraṁ viśvāmitraṁ munīśvaram| provācātha kutaḥ prāptaḥ sāṁprataṁ tvaṁ munīśvara

He too, seeing Vishvamitra, friend of the world, lord among sages, then said: 'From where have you come now, O lord of sages?'

Verse 45 (skanda.6.4.45)

कोऽयं तवानुगो रौद्रो दृश्यते चांत्यजाकृतिः। एतत्सर्वं समाचक्ष्व पृच्छतो मम सन्मुने

ko'yaṁ tavānugo raudro dṛśyate cāṁtyajākṛtiḥ| etatsarvaṁ samācakṣva pṛcchato mama sanmune

'Who is this fearsome companion of yours, who appears in the form of an outcaste? Tell me all of this, O good sage, since I ask.'

Verse 46 (skanda.6.4.46)

विश्वामित्र उवाच। एष पार्थिवशार्दूलस्त्रिशंकुरिति विश्रुतः। वसिष्ठस्य सुतैर्नीतश्चंडालत्वं प्रकोपतः

viśvāmitra uvāca| eṣa pārthivaśārdūlastriśaṁkuriti viśrutaḥ| vasiṣṭhasya sutairnītaścaṁḍālatvaṁ prakopataḥ

Vishvamitra said: This is a tiger among kings, renowned by the name Trishanku, brought to the condition of a chandala by the sons of Vasishtha in their anger.

Verse 47 (skanda.6.4.47)

मया चास्य प्रतिज्ञातं सप्तद्वीपवतीं महीम्। प्रभ्रमिष्याम्यहं यावन्मेध्यत्वं त्वमुपेष्यसि

mayā cāsya pratijñātaṁ saptadvīpavatīṁ mahīm| prabhramiṣyāmyahaṁ yāvanmedhyatvaṁ tvamupeṣyasi

'And I have vowed on his behalf: I shall wander over the whole earth with its seven continents until you attain purity.'

Verse 48 (skanda.6.4.48)

भ्रांतोऽहं भूतले यानि तीर्थान्यायतनानि च। नचैष मेध्यतां प्राप्तः परिश्रांतोस्मि सांप्रतम्

bhrāṁto'haṁ bhūtale yāni tīrthānyāyatanāni ca| nacaiṣa medhyatāṁ prāptaḥ pariśrāṁtosmi sāṁpratam

'I have wandered to whatever sacred places and shrines exist on this earth, yet he has not attained purity, and I am now utterly exhausted.'

Verse 49 (skanda.6.4.49)

तस्मात्सर्वां महीं त्यक्त्वा लज्जया परया युतः। द्वीपान्महार्णवांस्त्यक्त्वा संप्रयास्याम्यतः परम्

tasmātsarvāṁ mahīṁ tyaktvā lajjayā parayā yutaḥ| dvīpānmahārṇavāṁstyaktvā saṁprayāsyāmyataḥ param

'Therefore, overcome with the deepest shame, I shall now abandon this entire earth, leaving behind its continents and its great oceans, and depart from here.'

Verse 50 (skanda.6.4.50)

मा वसिष्ठस्य पुत्राणामुपहासपदं गतः। प्रतिज्ञारहितो विप्र सत्यमेद्ब्रवीम्यहम्

mā vasiṣṭhasya putrāṇāmupahāsapadaṁ gataḥ| pratijñārahito vipra satyamedbravīmyaham

'Let me not become an object of ridicule for the sons of Vasishtha, having failed to keep my vow, O brahmin — this I say to you truthfully.'

Verse 51 (skanda.6.4.51)

श्रीमार्कंडेय उवाच। यद्येवं मुनिशार्दूल कुरुष्व वचनं मम। सप्तद्वीपवतीं पृथ्वीं मा त्यक्त्वा कुत्रचिद्व्रज

śrīmārkaṁḍeya uvāca| yadyevaṁ muniśārdūla kuruṣva vacanaṁ mama| saptadvīpavatīṁ pṛthvīṁ mā tyaktvā kutracidvraja

Shri Markandeya said: If that is so, O tiger among sages, do as I say: do not abandon the seven-continented earth to go anywhere else.

Verse 52 (skanda.6.4.52)

एतस्मात्पर्वतात्क्षेत्रं हाटकेश्वरसंज्ञितम्। अस्ति नैर्ऋतदिग्भागे देशे चानर्तसंज्ञके

etasmātparvatātkṣetraṁ hāṭakeśvarasaṁjñitam| asti nairṛtadigbhāge deśe cānartasaṁjñake

There is, in the southwestern direction from this mountain, in the land known as Anarta, a sacred place called Hatakeshvara.

Verse 53 (skanda.6.4.53)

तत्राद्यं स्थापितं लिंगं हाटकेन सुरोत्तमैः। यत्तत्संकीर्त्यते लोके पाताले हाटकेश्वरम्

tatrādyaṁ sthāpitaṁ liṁgaṁ hāṭakena surottamaiḥ| yattatsaṁkīrtyate loke pātāle hāṭakeśvaram

There the first Linga was established by the best of the gods, using gold — the one that is proclaimed in the world as Hatakeshvara in the netherworld.

Verse 54 (skanda.6.4.54)

पातालजाह्नवीतोयं यत्रैवास्ति द्विजोत्तम। उद्धृते शंभुना लिंगे विनिष्क्रांतं रसातलात्

pātālajāhnavītoyaṁ yatraivāsti dvijottama| uddhṛte śaṁbhunā liṁge viniṣkrāṁtaṁ rasātalāt

There too, O best of the twice-born, is the water of the Ganga of the netherworld, which issued forth from the underworld when the Linga was uprooted by Shambhu.

Verse 55 (skanda.6.4.55)

तत्र प्रविश्य यत्नेन पातालं वसुधाधिपः। करोतु जाह्नवीतोये स्नानं श्रद्धासमन्वितः

tatra praviśya yatnena pātālaṁ vasudhādhipaḥ| karotu jāhnavītoye snānaṁ śraddhāsamanvitaḥ

Let the lord of the earth enter that netherworld with effort, and bathe in the waters of that Ganga with utmost faith.

Verse 56 (skanda.6.4.56)

पश्चात्पश्यतु तल्लिंगं हाटकेश्वरसंज्ञितम्। भविष्यति ततः शुद्धश्चंडालत्वविवर्जितः

paścātpaśyatu talliṁgaṁ hāṭakeśvarasaṁjñitam| bhaviṣyati tataḥ śuddhaścaṁḍālatvavivarjitaḥ

Afterward, let him behold that Linga called Hatakeshvara; then he shall become pure, freed from his condition as a chandala.

Verse 57 (skanda.6.4.57)

त्वमपि प्राप्स्यसि श्रेयः परं हृदयसंस्थितम्। ततोन्यदपि यत्किंचित्तत्रैव तपसि स्थितः

tvamapi prāpsyasi śreyaḥ paraṁ hṛdayasaṁsthitam| tatonyadapi yatkiṁcittatraiva tapasi sthitaḥ

You too shall attain the supreme good that is fixed in your heart, and whatever else besides, if you remain there in austerity.

Verse 58 (skanda.6.4.58)

सूत उवाच। तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा विश्वामित्रो मुनीश्वरः। त्रिशंकुना समायुक्तो गतस्तत्र द्रुतं ततः

sūta uvāca| tasya tadvacanaṁ śrutvā viśvāmitro munīśvaraḥ| triśaṁkunā samāyukto gatastatra drutaṁ tataḥ

Suta said: Having heard those words of his, Vishvamitra, lord of sages, together with Trishanku, went there swiftly.

Verse 59 (skanda.6.4.59)

पाताले देवमार्गेण प्रविश्य नृपसत्तमम्। त्रिशंकुं स्नापयामास विधिदृष्टेन कर्मणा

pātāle devamārgeṇa praviśya nṛpasattamam| triśaṁkuṁ snāpayāmāsa vidhidṛṣṭena karmaṇā

Entering the netherworld by the path of the gods, he caused that best of kings, Trishanku, to bathe there, with rites according to the prescribed rule.

Verse 60 (skanda.6.4.60)

स्नातमात्रोथ राजा स हाटकेश्वदर्शनात्। चंडालत्वेन निर्मुक्तो बभूवार्कसमद्युतिः

snātamātrotha rājā sa hāṭakeśvadarśanāt| caṁḍālatvena nirmukto babhūvārkasamadyutiḥ

As soon as the king had bathed, by the mere sight of Hatakeshvara he was freed from his condition as a chandala, and became radiant as the sun.

Verse 61 (skanda.6.4.61)

ततस्तं स मुनिः प्राह प्रणतं गतकल्मषम्। दिष्ट्या मुक्तोसि राजेंद्र चंडालत्वेन सांप्रतम्

tatastaṁ sa muniḥ prāha praṇataṁ gatakalmaṣam| diṣṭyā muktosi rājeṁdra caṁḍālatvena sāṁpratam

Then the sage said to him, as he stood bowed and cleansed of his taint: 'By good fortune, O lord of kings, you are now freed from your condition as an outcaste.'

Verse 62 (skanda.6.4.62)

दिष्ट्या प्राप्तः परं तेजो दिष्ट्या प्राप्तः परं तपः। तस्माद्यजस्व सत्रेण विधिवद्दक्षिणावता

diṣṭyā prāptaḥ paraṁ tejo diṣṭyā prāptaḥ paraṁ tapaḥ| tasmādyajasva satreṇa vidhivaddakṣiṇāvatā

'By good fortune you have attained supreme splendor, by good fortune you have attained supreme merit; therefore now perform a sacrificial session, complete with fees, according to due rite.'

Verse 63 (skanda.6.4.63)

येन संप्राप्स्यसे सिद्धिं नित्यं या हृदये स्थिता। त्वत्कृते प्रार्थयिष्यामि स्वयं गत्वा पितामहम्

yena saṁprāpsyase siddhiṁ nityaṁ yā hṛdaye sthitā| tvatkṛte prārthayiṣyāmi svayaṁ gatvā pitāmaham

'By this you shall attain the fulfillment that has ever dwelt in your heart. For your sake I myself shall go and beseech the Grandsire.'

Verse 64 (skanda.6.4.64)

मखांशं सर्वदेवाद्यो येन गृह्णाति ते मखे। तस्मादत्रैव संभारान्सर्वान्यज्ञसमुद्भवान्। आनय ब्रह्मलोकाच्च यावदागमनं मम

makhāṁśaṁ sarvadevādyo yena gṛhṇāti te makhe| tasmādatraiva saṁbhārānsarvānyajñasamudbhavān| ānaya brahmalokācca yāvadāgamanaṁ mama

'— so that, at your sacrifice, the foremost of all the gods himself may take his share of the offering. Therefore gather here all the materials arising for the sacrifice, until I return from the world of Brahma.'

Verse 65 (skanda.6.4.65)

बाढमित्येव सोऽप्याह स मुनिः संशितव्रतः। पितामहमुपागम्य प्रणिपत्याब्रवीद्वचः

bāḍhamityeva so'pyāha sa muniḥ saṁśitavrataḥ| pitāmahamupāgamya praṇipatyābravīdvacaḥ

'So be it,' the king replied. Then that sage of rigorous vows approached the Grandsire, and, bowing down, spoke these words.

Verse 66 (skanda.6.4.66)

याजयिष्याम्यहं भूपं त्रिशंकुं प्रपितामह। मानुषेण शरीरेण येन गच्छति ते पदम्

yājayiṣyāmyahaṁ bhūpaṁ triśaṁkuṁ prapitāmaha| mānuṣeṇa śarīreṇa yena gacchati te padam

'O great-grandsire, I intend to have King Trishanku perform a sacrifice by which he may reach your world in his very human body.'

Verse 67 (skanda.6.4.67)

तस्मादागच्छ तत्र त्वं यज्ञवाटं पितामह। सर्वैः सुरगणैः सार्धं शिवविष्णुपुरःसरैः

tasmādāgaccha tatra tvaṁ yajñavāṭaṁ pitāmaha| sarvaiḥ suragaṇaiḥ sārdhaṁ śivaviṣṇupuraḥsaraiḥ

'Therefore, O Grandsire, come there to the sacrificial enclosure, together with all the hosts of gods, led by Shiva and Vishnu.'

Verse 68 (skanda.6.4.68)

प्रगृहाण स्वहस्तेन यज्ञभागं यथोचितम्। सशरीरो दिवं याति येनासौ त्वत्प्रसादतः

pragṛhāṇa svahastena yajñabhāgaṁ yathocitam| saśarīro divaṁ yāti yenāsau tvatprasādataḥ

'Take up with your own hand the due share of the offering, so that by your grace he may go to heaven together with his very body.'

Verse 69 (skanda.6.4.69)

ब्रह्मोवाच। न यज्ञकर्मणा स्वर्गःस्वेन कायेन लभ्यते। मुक्त्वा देहांतरं ब्रह्मंस्तस्मान्मैवं वदस्व माम्

brahmovāca| na yajñakarmaṇā svargaḥsvena kāyena labhyate| muktvā dehāṁtaraṁ brahmaṁstasmānmaivaṁ vadasva mām

Brahma said: Heaven is never obtained through sacrificial rites with this very body; it is attained only by giving up one body for another, O sage — therefore do not speak to me thus.

Verse 70 (skanda.6.4.70)

वयमग्निमुखाः सर्वे हविर्गृह्णामहे मखे। वेदोक्तविधिना सम्यग्यजमानहिताय वै

vayamagnimukhāḥ sarve havirgṛhṇāmahe makhe| vedoktavidhinā samyagyajamānahitāya vai

'All of us gods take our offerings at a sacrifice only through the mouth of fire, strictly according to the rite prescribed in the Veda, for the good of the one who performs the sacrifice.'

Verse 71 (skanda.6.4.71)

तस्माद्वह्निमुखे भूयः स जुहोति हविर्द्विज। ततः संप्राप्स्यति स्वर्गं त्वत्प्रसादादसंशयम्

tasmādvahnimukhe bhūyaḥ sa juhoti havirdvija| tataḥ saṁprāpsyati svargaṁ tvatprasādādasaṁśayam

'Therefore, O brahmin, let him again offer the oblation into the mouth of fire; then, by your grace, he shall without doubt attain heaven.'